Chapter 74: This Young Master Makes A Friend

Chapter 74: This Young Master Makes A Friend

Xie Jin hadnt been lying when hed said the ambient qi would rise the further into the Central region they got. What he had neglected to mention was just how drastically it would rise. When Chen Haoran emerged on the deck the next day he was practically blasted in the face by the difference. From near nothing to higher than anything Clearsprings City could offer. It was almost like he had fallen asleep and woken up in another world which, admittedly, was a concept he was quite familiar with. It still wasnt near the Spa Caverns level but just the fact he was comparing them was example enough.

And they were still only on the fringes of the region.

The scale was humbling in its own way. He hadnt noticed it before when he first arrived in this new world but it wasnt exactly his fault. Cities and mountains were always big to him. The Spa Caverns and their endless depth were stupefying but could be explained due to the clearly unnatural nature of the extradimensional space. The size of the Machu river was not something he could explain, supernatural or not. It was less of a river and more of an inland sea that flowed in one direction, complete with its own weather system. A few times he looked into its crystal yellow waters and saw fish the size of rowboats and what he could swear was the diving tail of a whale though he never saw one breach.

Just thinking about it was enough to leave him so dizzy he could barely think let alone meditate at his newfound position at the front of the ship. Old Jiang had posted sailors to make sure no one came near him but somehow the passengers were even more distant than before. Chen Haoran wasnt sure if it was some fear of him or fear theyd be dragged into the river if they got to close to him. Or it might have been Xie Jin. His friend certainly seemed menacing today with how he paced around like some wary predator and impudently glared at the river below them.

He stifled a laughed and assumed a meditative pose. He could sense Xie Jins qi tense in preparation. He wasnt wrong for being nervous but at the same time, Chen Haoran doubted he could fight an entire body of water. Still, his presence was comforting enough for him to center his thoughts and focus on his qi. It spun into motion at his prompting and the yellow dragon emerged from the depths of his core to feast on the fresh qi his meridians absorbed. The dragon roared. Xie Jins qi spiked. Chen Haoran opened his eyes.

Another tendril of yellow water rose out of the rivers surface in front of him. He looked down at the still-moving boat and then back at the tendril that was perfectly maintaining a constant distance from it. He stood perfectly still. It seemed the river remembered their last interaction as it didnt try to grab him this time. Chen Haoran was grateful for that but it didnt really change the fact that he had no idea how to interact with a sentient river. No amount of scripting in his head could prepare him for the real deal.

When in Rome, he muttered, and reached into his storage bag to pull out two fistfuls of glowing moss and a salamander core. He flexed his qi and dropped them into the river then clapped his hands together. Not a bow but more as a prayer. Friends?

The tendril sank into the water.

He could hear the people behind him letting go of the breaths theyd been holding. Xie Jin stalked over and watched the spot the river disappeared. Most likely sensing for any sign of the will of the river. Chen Haoran knew this because he was doing the same thing but from the moment the tendril appeared to when it disappeared he couldnt feel any great power or difference in qi. In a way, he was thankful, had there been something to sense it would have been a worse headache than any Liquid Meridian gave him.

Chen Haoran weakly smiled at Xie Jin. Heres to hoping it gives us a boost.

A splash suddenly sounded from the water. Xie Jin cursed and ducked as a blue shadow flew over his head and landed in Chen Haorans arms. Luckily hed still been cycling his qi and wasnt barreled over by the weight of what he now realized was a football-sized mussel shell.

Imperial piss stream, Xie Jin spat.

No name-calling gift-givers, Chen Haoran chided.nove(l)bi(n.)com

In my land, we dont throw gifts at peoples heads.

Well it wasnt for you now was it?

And thats what the Ministry of Rites does? Chen Haoran asked.

Old Jiang laughed. Thats what the Ministry of Rites wishes they could do. He gave Chen Haoran a considering look. I cant say theyre friends but I know some guys who work there. If youre interested in a job I can introduce you. Most cultivators with a river method go to them to find work.

Im still young, Id like to travel a bit more before settling down, Chen Haoran said.

Ah, the ambition of youth. Old Jiang wistfully sighed. I remember being a fiery lad when I was younger.

I heard the Empire used the Machu as a weapon, Xie Jin said, he speared a scrap of meat on his fishing hook and cast the line out. I dont see how thats possible if the river is as willful as you say.

Old Jiang shrugged. Those stories are far before my time, I only know what I know. If the Machu worked with the Empire like that then I expect they paid a hefty price for it.

Chen Haoran shuddered at the image that conjured. How scary would it be if back on Earth the Amazon river became sentient and decided to rush over land to fight the United States? What if it were multiplied a hundred times over?

He was suddenly very glad he was on the rivers good side. At least he knew he would survive what he was about to do next.

Ill be sad to see you two go, Old Jiang said. This has been the second most memorable voyage of my life.

Second!? Xie Jin whirled around with his fishing rod, the line flying up onto the deck and revealing another empty hook. I knew you were holding out on us you old codger.

Dont they teach you to respect your elders in the south?

Xie Jin gave Old Jiang a toothy grin. Only if they can out-drink us. I still have a whole day to get that story out of you.

Old Jiang snorted. A frog in a well.

Will you join us, Brother Chen? Xie Jin asked.

No, Chen Haoran said.

Im going to jump into the river.